A Promising Concept Of Waste Management Through Pyrolysis Of Low Density Polyethylene

Waste management has been a topic of concern among researchers and this has led to the research into various methods of managing them. Pyrolysis otherwise known as thermal decomposition of waste polymeric materials is a renowned technology that is gaining popularity among researchers. This process helps to reduce the environmental menace caused by the conventional methods of waste disposal which include incineration and land filling. Waste low density polyethylene in the form of water sachets was collected from households over time dried and shredded in preparation for pyrolysis. A measured weight of the waste Low Density Polyethylene LDPE was fed into the reactor for the pyrolysis to take place at temperatures above 350oC. The products of the pyrolysed waste LDPE which include the condensable gases and the non condensable gases were collected in their different collectors. The residue otherwise known as char was also collected. The liquid product also known as pyrolysis oil was analysed using analytical instruments such as GC-MS and FTIR. The analysis shows that the hydrocarbon components present in the oil are C9 to C25 which are in forms of aliphatics aromatics esters and alkanoic acids.